The Member of Parliament for Asokwa in the Ashanti Region is suggesting the adoption of a mock parliament solely constituted by women to address issues related to gender equality and women empowerment. 

Patricia Appeagyei says the establishment of an exclusive women-only parliament as seen in some countries would help solicit ideas for gender parity and policies against women discrimination. 

She believes the move would also pique the interest of many Ghanaian women into parliamentary proceedings. 

The Asokwa legislator observed that many women in Ghana sparingly abreast themselves of parliamentary proceedings which she believes hampers progress for women empowerment, economic and social policies for women. 

Patricia Appeagyei says the institution of the women parliament would include representatives from various sectors of the economy to solicit recommendations and concerns to foster gender inclusion. 

Speaking at a townhall meeting in Kumasi, the lawmaker suggested that the women sitting could be run during parliament’s long recess to afford an opportunity to address gender-related issues.   

“As was done in Argentina, they organise parliamentary proceedings exclusively for women when their parliament goes into long recess. We can look at the interests of the women and then they form different committees and sectors, then they bring out the issues for solutions, just like the youth parliament we have now. If we have women’s parliament, it will create awareness, develop interests and also ensure that we progress in whatever we are doing,” she said. 

Gender parity and women empowerment have been topical issues in Ghana as many advocates push for more women participation in political leadership.

Parliamentary Network AFRICA, a civil society parliamentary monitoring organisation, established the Gender Advocacy to Parliament in 2022 aimed at the adoption of laws and policies for promotion of social and economic progress of women. 

Executive Director of Parliamentary Network AFRICA, Sammy Obeng, says the policy would help in changing the gender status quo. 

“Under no circumstance have we had parliament with women above the 15% mark since 1960. This is worrying. If we promote the works of some women in parliament, it would allow people to know what they are doing and in that way it will encourage others to be selected. In countries like Sierra Leone, they’ve instituted a 30% quota system for women leadership at every level of government, even in the private sector,” he said. 

The townhall meeting on Gender Advocacy to Parliament brought together stakeholders in the education, agricultural, health, lifestyle and livelihood support groups to dialogue on women empowerment and advocacy.

For many of the women who gathered at the forum, implementation of recommendations and policies for women is much desired.

Assembly member for the Jamasi East electoral area, Maud Abankwa wants the government and other stakeholders to provide resources in supporting vulnerable women. 

“We have to be resourced to help address issues facing women in the communities. If we only come and you rant our troubles with nothing being done then every effort is pointless,” she said. 

The event was sponsored by the French Embassy in Ghana.